The Fourth Article is a free magazine distributed in Pakistan which highlights every aspect imaginable; from politics to music. It caters to open-minded and cultured individuals who believe in having the freedom to do whatever they want, as long as they abide by the law and are positively contributing citizens. We had the opportunity to interview the minds behind this innovative magazine, and learn how it came about and what roles each of them have in producing this monthly publication…

PIC

How would you introduce your magazine to our readers?

Our Magazine is cool to look at, fun to read and free of cost! It’s the first free English magazine in Pakistan. None of us are literary geniuses, crazy scientists, freaky bohemians or suicidal artists; however, we happen to know a lot of them and they live in different countries and have formed a worldwide network of change. It takes us thirty days to tap into this network, and before the sun sets on the thirty-first day, the news is at your doorstep free of charge. We talk about lifestyle, music, history, technology, politics and contemporary issues all at the same time once a month; and we are always looking to present alternative and less mainstream issues on an objective platform instead of settling for the regurgitation of popular opinion.

The fourth article is an interesting name for a magazine, what is the story behind this?


A.Our name refers to the fourth article in the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan; which basically states that all of us are free to do whatever we want as long as we don’t break the law; which is what we at the magazine believe in strongly and want to promote. In this era where there appears to be a dichotomy between freedom and the law, we want the next generation to know and realize that we can be free without being unlawful and vice versa.

The Fourth Article

Right of individuals to be dealt with in accordance with law, etc-

(1) To enjoy the protection of the law and to be treated in accordance with law is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan.

(2) In particular-

(a) No action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property shall be taken except in accordance with law

(b) No person shall be prevented from or hindered in doing that which is not prohibited by law; and

(c) No person shall be compelled to do that which the law does not require him to do.

With so many diverse backgrounds among you, how did you all come together as a team?

More than anything else, it was friendship and a singular purpose. The structure of our team has changed over the last few months, two of our team members have moved on to bigger, more challenging roles in their careers and we have inducted a new member.

Over the course of the year, we have gone through a lot of restructuring. Starting out as a small publication being operating out of a room, we began to grow big. We are now being run under an incubation setup, where we have a group of believers and ‘angel investors’ who are helping us grow The Fourth Article.

Omar, you have a background in graphic design, and you are also running your own graphic design company “Happa Studios,” tell us about your company, and also your role as a team player in The Fourth Article.


Our company is a cross discipline international design studio, and does the design and production for The Fourth Article. I am one of the partners and the Creative Director in The Fourth Article team.

Rabia, you are the senior editor for the magazine, tell us a about yourself and how you manage to balance your teaching career with the magazine.


Teaching actually helps. It’s easy for me to edit and coordinate, as that is what I do in school. I teach in the mornings and work on the magazine in the afternoons. It gets a bit crazy when the magazine is about to go into print, but it is always fun! Maybe I’m just a sucker for inhuman torture!

Amaar, please tell us a little bit about yourself, and why you chose to become a part of this magazine.


I’ve been working with startups and multinationals for the last 6 years. I recently left my job with Standard Chartered Bank in Karachi, and came back to Lahore to setup an alternate marketing company. Since my college days, I always wanted to be part of free publication.

My interest with TFA further increased when I advertised with them for my family business (retail of watches). The response I got was great which gave me the confidence to join this magazine and take it to the next level by redefining and strategizing the publication and turning it into a truly successful business model.

With so many magazines coming out, how do you plan to create a niche in the market?


Currently, we are the only free monthly magazine in the country; and in terms of the topics and issues we discuss, not a single other magazine focuses on Pakistani life as we do. On another note, we are not looking to create a niche. We wish the masses are able to read our magazine and spread the love!

Would you encourage young people who are inspired by you to start something similar? If so, why?


Well, imitation is the best form of flattery; and who’d have a problem with that! But we would rather encourage someone to do something they love rather than what we love!

Lastly, what is your message to the readers of The Saturday Post?


Read the fourth article and let us know what you think, and what you as expatriates would like to hear about. We believe in positive feedback instead of a steady stream of criticism.